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Steelers inform James Harrison he is being released

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are officially parting ways with star linebacker James Harrison. After Harrison expressed no interest in taking a penny less this season, the Steelers informed Harrison this morning that he will be released today.

The Steelers made multiple efforts to rework Harrison’s deal, asking him to take a paycut in the range of $2 million dollars, one source said this week. He was due $6.570 million in 2013.

The Steelers will save $5.103 million ($4.93 million dead money) in cap space and while releasing Harrison saves the Steelers cap space, his loss is a big hole as it’s unknown what the Steelers are going to get out of LaMarr Woodley.

Jason Worilds becomes the immediate starter at ROLB and drafting a pass rusher is a top priority for the Steelers.

Harrison, 34, will go down as one of the Steelers all-time great outside linebackers. In nine seasons with the Steelers, Harrison had 617 tackles, 64 sacks, 29 forced fumbled and 5 interceptions.

Harrison become a full-time starter in 2007, replacing Joey Porter. In six seasons as a starter, Harrison had 8.5 sacks or more in five of six seasons (2007-2012). Harrison posted three 10+ sack seasons (2008-2010) in his career. He was the 2008 defensive player of the year with 101 tackles, 16 sacks and 7 forced fumbles.

(12:20 p.m.) The Steelers have made Harrison’s release official.

“James has been an integral part of our success during his years in Pittsburgh and has helped us win two Lombardi trophies during that time,” GM Kevin Colbert said in a released statement. “We appreciate all of his efforts and wish him the best.”

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said, “James has played a major role in the success of this organization during his time in Pittsburgh. I appreciate everything he has done in my six years as head coach and wish him nothing but the best in the future.”

Trade Buzz: Thursday’s 1-for-1 trade of young underperforming players saw the Minnesota Wild acquire center Victor Rask from the Carolina Hurricanes for left winger Nino Niederreiter. Carolina did an excellent job of being able to get out of the Rask contract, who has three years remaining with a $4 million cap hit. Rask has 1 goal, 5 assists on the season, mirrored in a 22-game goal drought. The logic here for Minnesota is taking the chance on a playmaking center who can help fill a top-9 spot longer term if the Wild move on from Eric Staal. Minnesota is also playing the card that a change of scenery will benefit the 24-year old who posted a career-high 21 goals, 48 points in 2015-2016.

Niederreiter’s trade value was stunted because of his contract, where he has three years left on his deal with a $5.25 million cap hit. Niederreiter is a player who is extremely hard to play against, drives possession well, and has three 20 goal seasons over his last four full seasons. Injuries (18 goals in 63 games) kept him from a 4th straight 20-goal season in 17-18. The Niederreiter acquisition also sets up as great insurance for the Hurricanes if they can’t resign Micheal Ferland. In the short-term, Carolina’s center situation is a mess with Jordan Staal sidelined with a concussion, but they’re getting the better player who fits the identity they’re trying to establish upfront, especially on the wings where they’ve identified the need for Patric Hornqvist type players.